Getting Discouraged in Pursuing the Culinary Profession?

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Some people think that the culinary profession will open up a glamorous life for them.  However, during the course of their culinary education and apprenticeship, they find out that life as a would-be professional chef is really not that glamorous.  Instead, it is a grueling, tiring, and even mentally exhausting profession.  The dreaded question then pops into their exhausted minds – why am I here?

Why the Feeling of Discouragement?

There are some of the popular reasons why a culinary student may feel discouraged about his or her situation.

1. The most common of this is their financial situation.  It will be hard to pursue a culinary education while, at the same time, working to support himself.  Juggling education and work can be pretty exhausting, so it is not surprising to know that many students drop out of the culinary profession for this very reason.
2. The culinary profession is very competitive, even if you are still in school.  There are those who do not have any kitchen experience yet have the skills of a pro, while there are also those who put their hearts to their studies yet always find themselves behind the whole class.  The situation like the latter is very discouraging, especially since you are going to compete against them when it comes to looking for a job.
3. Food and cooking really are not their passion.  There are some people who were pressurized to take up culinary education, especially if they come from a long line of chefs.  If food and cooking are not their passion, then it will be hard for them to love the profession.

Dealing with It

Do not give up just yet because this feeling of discouragement will pass.  All you have to do is to deal with it.  Here are some tips on how to get over a disheartening situation.

1. The first thing that you have to do is to remember that you did not enter the culinary profession for another person.  You willingly entered the culinary world because you love food, you love cooking, and you are passionate for both.  You took up culinary education because you want to learn how to become a chef, not because you will pit yourself against your classmates.  There is a time for that when you graduate and you compete for the same job.  For now, you have to focus only on yourself and on your studies.
2. Know your strengths and weaknesses.  Yes, there are some students who are fast learners, and there are also those who have natural culinary skills and talents.  However, you have to understand that they are not you.  Instead, you have to know what your skills and strengths are, and you have to focus on them.  When the time comes for you to apprentice or train at the restaurants, be sure to learn as much as you can from the masters.  Learn from their techniques and develop your own culinary style.  In time, you will have developed your own culinary personality.  Experience coupled with your culinary skills, and you will become the chef that you want to become.
3. If you are studying and working at the same time, be sure to have a day off that you will spend only for yourself or for things that you enjoy.  This way, you can rest your tired mind and body.  It will be a pressure trying to make both ends meet and, at the same time, go to school, however, there will be more pressure if you do not take some time off to rest.
4. However, if you really do not have any desire to become a chef or do not have the passion for food and cooking, then maybe it really is time to look for another option.  Remember, to become an excellent chef, you have to love what you are doing because only through passion and love for food and cooking can you create magnificent dishes that will make your name popular.

So the next time you feel discouraged about pursuing the culinary profession, you have these tips to help you.

Image Credit: thefoodsite.net

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